Killian Hayes eyes NBA return in a bid to rebuild career

Through four NBA seasons, Killian Hayes' career has struggled to gain momentum. Plagued by a lack of progress and injuries, the French point guard recently found himself out of the league altogether.

After a career-high season in 2022-23, where he averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals, Hayes' progress regressed last season, leading to his release from the Detroit Pistons.

The Brooklyn Nets picked him up ahead of the 2024-25 campaign but waived him shortly after. 

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Hayes joined the Nets’ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, to continue his rehabilitation on a hip injury he suffered with the goal of eventually returning to the NBA.

"The injury came at a horrible time, but it is what it is. That’s another reason why I stayed with the Nets," Hayes said at the Long Island Nets' media day. "With my injury, that’s who I’ve been working with to rehab it. So, it just makes sense to come back stronger and better. It’s going well and getting better every day."

Now 23 years old, Hayes' start to the G League season has been a mixed experience.

In the season opener, the 6-foot-5 guard posted 19 points, four rebounds, eight assists and one steal as the Long Island Nets won against the Maine Celtics. He shot an efficient 61.5 percent from the field and knocked down a three-pointer. 

However, in the next game, Hayes struggled to build on his strong start, finishing with just eight points on poor shooting. However, he did contribute with six rebounds, five assists and one steal.

In his third game of the season, Hayes bounced back with an impressive 22 points, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in just 24 minutes. He shot 52.9 percent from the field, including two three-pointers. 

Yet, in his most recent outing, Hayes scored just two points and went 0-of-5 from the field, further underscoring his inconsistent start to the campaign. 

While flashes of potential have been evident, his struggles in consecutive games could hinder his chances of returning to the NBA.

It may still be too early to fully evaluate Hayes' form, considering he's coming off a period of injury rehabilitation and adjusting to life in the G League. The latter alone can be a challenge for many NBA players.

Hayes was selected seventh overall in the 2020 NBA Draft with high expectations. Throughout 210 games with the Pistons, he posted career averages of 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His lack of development puzzled fans, particularly given his career shooting averages of 38.2 percent from the field and 27.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite these struggles, the Frenchman is still young and could potentially have untapped talent. Many NBA players have emerged as late bloomers, and it's possible Hayes could follow a similar trajectory.

Reports suggest that Hayes had the option to play overseas this past offseason, but he chose to stay with the Nets on a standard G League deal.

"It was just the right decision. I spent a long time with the (Brooklyn) Nets and I’m very familiar with their system and what they’re expecting," said the Long Island guard regarding potential overseas opportunities.

Importantly, Hayes is not tied to the Brooklyn Nets by an NBA contract or two-way deal, meaning he is free to sign with any team that expresses interest in him moving forward. This gives him more opportunity to regain a spot in the league, potentially broadening his chances for a return to the NBA.